Florida softshell turtle: Difference between revisions
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== Description == |
== Description == |
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The Florida softshell turtle typically has a dark brown to olive green, leathery [[carapace]] with a white or cream colored underside,<ref name=apalone/> which provides the turtle with effective protection from some [[predator]]s.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/6838752/Heron-tries-to-swallow-turtle-for-dinner.html Heron tries to swallow turtle for dinner: A heron tried to swallow a turtle for its dinner but was left frustrated as it could not pierce its shell to kill it]. [[Daily Telegraph]], 18 Dec 2009</ref> They have a long neck, an elongated head, with a long [[Snorkel (swimming)|snorkel]]-like nose. Juveniles have dark blotching, which fades as they age. They grow to a large size, from 6-30 inches (15-76 cm), largest of all the species in the genus ''[[Apalone]]''. Females are larger with males only reaching about 14 inches (35 cm). The juveniles are olive-yellow with grey spots and a yellow lined carapace. Juveniles also have yellow and orange markings on the head and a gray plastron. These marking disappear as it ages, although adults sometimes show traces of the markings.<ref name=apalone>[http://www.tortoise.org/archives/apalone.html www.tortoise.org ''apalone'']</ref> |
The Florida softshell turtle typically has a dark brown to olive green, leathery [[carapace]] with a white or cream colored underside,<ref name=apalone/> which provides the turtle with effective protection from some [[predator]]s.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/6838752/Heron-tries-to-swallow-turtle-for-dinner.html Heron tries to swallow turtle for dinner: A heron tried to swallow a turtle for its dinner but was left frustrated as it could not pierce its shell to kill it]. [[Daily Telegraph]], 18 Dec 2009</ref> They have a long neck, an elongated head, with a long [[Snorkel (swimming)|snorkel]]-like nose. Juveniles have dark blotching, which fades as they age. They grow to a large size, from 6-30 inches (15-76 cm), largest of all the species in the genus ''[[Apalone]]''. Females are larger with males only reaching about 14 inches (35 cm). The juveniles are olive-yellow with grey spots and a yellow lined carapace. Juveniles also have yellow and orange markings on the head and a gray plastron. These marking disappear as it ages, although adults sometimes show traces of the markings.<ref name=apalone>[http://www.tortoise.org/archives/apalone.html www.tortoise.org ''apalone'']</ref> |
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== Behavior == |
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[[File:Soft-Shelled Turtle.JPG|thumb|left|Close-up of head]] |
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Their all Gay, LOL !!! |
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== Diet == |
== Diet == |
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Revision as of 05:36, 22 July 2011
| Florida softshell turtle | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
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| Genus: | |
| Species: | A. ferox
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| Binomial name | |
| Apalone ferox (Schneider, 1783)
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| Synonyms | |
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Testudo ferox Schneider, 1783 | |
The Florida softshell turtle (Apalone ferox) is a species of softshell turtle native to the southeastern United States.
Geographic range
It is found primarily in the state of Florida, but it also ranges to southern sections of South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama.[2]
Introduced outside of range
They are widely distributed by the pet industry. Individual specimens have been found released to the wild well outside of their range, but they are not known to have established outside of their native habitat.[3]
Taxonomy
This species was formerly in the genus Trionyx.[4]
Description
The Florida softshell turtle typically has a dark brown to olive green, leathery carapace with a white or cream colored underside,[5] which provides the turtle with effective protection from some predators.[6] They have a long neck, an elongated head, with a long snorkel-like nose. Juveniles have dark blotching, which fades as they age. They grow to a large size, from 6-30 inches (15-76 cm), largest of all the species in the genus Apalone. Females are larger with males only reaching about 14 inches (35 cm). The juveniles are olive-yellow with grey spots and a yellow lined carapace. Juveniles also have yellow and orange markings on the head and a gray plastron. These marking disappear as it ages, although adults sometimes show traces of the markings.[5]
Behavior
Their all Gay, LOL !!!
Diet
The Florida softshell is highly carnivorous, consuming fish, frogs and other amphibians, insects, duck hatchlings and crustaceans.
Notes
- ^ The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
- ^ Apalone ferox (Schneider, 1783) (includes a map)
- ^ www.erdingtonaquatics.com turtle
- ^ Chelonia.org
- ^ a b www.tortoise.org apalone
- ^ Heron tries to swallow turtle for dinner: A heron tried to swallow a turtle for its dinner but was left frustrated as it could not pierce its shell to kill it. Daily Telegraph, 18 Dec 2009
References
Trionychidae family | ||||
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| Genera |
|  | ||
| Amyda | ||||
| Apalone | ||||
| †Axestemys | ||||
| Chitra | ||||
| Cyclanorbis | ||||
| Cycloderma | ||||
| Dogania | ||||
| †Gilmoremys | ||||
| †Hutchemys | ||||
| †Khunnuchelys | ||||
| Lissemys | ||||
| Nilssonia | ||||
| †Palaeoamyda | ||||
| Palea | ||||
| Pelochelys | ||||
| Pelodiscus | ||||
| Rafetus | ||||
| Trionyx | ||||
Phylogenetic arrangement of turtles based on turtles of the world 2017 update: Annotated checklist and atlas of taxonomy, synonymy, distribution, and conservation status. †=extinct. | ||||